Apple’s Asthma Study Leads to New Tool for Patients

Cupertino, California — A new application, stemming from Apple‘s four-year collaboration with Elevance Health and the University of California, Irvine, is now available to assist asthma patients in managing their symptoms. The app allows users to track their symptoms and triggers and utilizes wearable devices to monitor vital signs such as resting heart rate, which may indicate asthma flare-ups.

The Asthma Digital Study was launched in 2020 with the goal of exploring how Apple’s technology could support individuals suffering from asthma. Although Apple has not released any asthma-related products derived from the research, CareEvolution, the software developer involved in the study, has taken the initiative to release an app that embodies the study’s findings.

“Our preliminary data suggested that interventions similar to the Asthma Tool could effectively reduce emergency room visits among Medicaid patients,” said a spokesperson from CareEvolution. However, a peer-reviewed publication detailing these findings has yet to be released.

Despite its potential, the app’s success may depend heavily on market adoption, which could prove to be a significant challenge without strong backing from major insurers or tech companies. CareEvolution is actively seeking partnerships and hopes grassroots efforts will help raise awareness about the Asthma Tool among patients.

In related news, Hims & Hers announced its acquisition of Trybe Labs, aiming to offer at-home testing capabilities to customers. This new initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand into hormone therapies that target conditions like low testosterone and menopause.

The medical device industry is also reacting to significant staff cuts at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the trade group AdvaMed advocating for the reinstatement of critical personnel who specialize in emerging technologies. “If the intent was to streamline operations, it’s counterproductive,” said CEO Scott Whitaker during a press conference. “You’re losing invaluable expertise that impacts patient health and innovation in the medical device space.”

As technology continues to transform healthcare, innovative applications like the Asthma Tool and emerging trends in telehealth, such as those from Hims & Hers, illustrate a shift in how patients manage their health.